Charles Barkley Says He Is Tired of TNT Job Despite $100 Million Worth Deal: “I’m Not Watching These Games”

Chuck has announced his retirement from broadcasting. But before he did, the 76ers star had another revelation, likely being a reason in part for his decision. In 2022, Charles Barkley signed a 10-year deal with the company that would have seen him earn over $100 million for watching basketball. Two years in, Chuck, one of the best analysts the NBA has seen, announced he has grown weary of his job at TNT. 

For over 2 decades, Chuck has been a part of TNT as one of the four pillars of Inside the NBA. Growing exceptionally therein, he has often expressed his gratitude, getting paid to do his favorite thing- “watch basketball” games. However, during his latest appearance on the season of “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction,” Barkley was asked by David Letterman whether he gets tired of watching basketball. He confessed, “Yes, yes, a hard yes.”

His TNT colleague Kenny Smith, who was also in the room, stated how Barkley doesn’t really watch the games. To this, Chuck quickly added he’d rather catch up on another show. “I am watching Law & Order tonight. I am not watching these games,” the Philadelphia 76ers legend revealed.

This is quite contrary to the opinion he held a few years ago. Even in the show, Chuck said that he was going to watch basketball even if TNT Sports didn’t pay him for this job.

Charles Barkley won’t continue his Broadcasting career without TNT

But things are different now. Even if TNT Sports manages to get its hands on the NBA rights, we won’t have Chuck on the panel in the next season. “There’s been a lot of noise around our network the last few months. I just want to say, I talked to all the other networks, but I ain’t going nowhere other than TNT. But I have made the decision myself, no matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television,“ Barkley said before expressing his gratitude to his NBA family. 

Chuckster won’t be continuing his broadcasting career after the 2024-25 season. He further added that he won’t be taking up any other job offers from different networks and will pass the “baton” to Jamal Crawford, Vince Carter, or Steve Smith.

Considering TNT’s tumultuous times with acquiring the NBA rights, the Phoenix Suns legend has often shared his nervousness with the audience. But just like Shaquille O’Neal, we all had the same positivity, which ultimately got crushed! 

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.